Alabama Football News

Alabama LB named semifinalist for major college football award

by
Justin Smith
November 10, 2026

Photo via Alabama Athletics

Alabama football’s starting linebacker Luke Metz was named a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award.

The award is given annually to the defensive player of the year in college football. Metz is in his first year as a starter for the Crimson Tide.

The Georgia native has racked up 68 tackles, five quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions this season. He took one of his interceptions back for six. Metz also leads Alabama in takeaways.

The last Alabama player to earn the award was Will Anderson, and he won the award in 2022.

Three Alabama players have won the award. Jonathan Allen took home the prestigious award in 2016, and Minkah Fitzpatrick earned the award a year later.

Justin Smith( Managing Editor, Director of Recruiting )

Justin Smith is the Managing Editor and Lead Writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine with over 10 years of writing experience & expertise. Smith has consistently delivered high quality, extensively researched information on the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide football team that fans can trust. Smith is official credentialed media with the University of Alabama under Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He is also the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Enterprises, specializing in scouting and analyzing high school recruits around the nation, specifically focusing on recruits within the state of Alabama.

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